|  Author | Topic: 1/3 AM Where Time and Duty Meet (Setsuna/Lucan) (Read 64 times) |
Lucan Felix
Senshi/Shitennou
member is offline
![[avatar]](http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d22/CelestialNM/LC022.jpg)
Head of Her Majesty's Secret Service
Joined: Dec 2008
Gender: Male 
Posts: 186
|  | 1/3 AM Where Time and Duty Meet (Setsuna/Lucan)
« Thread Started on Jul 5, 2009, 6:55pm » | ![[Quote]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/buttons/quote.gif) |
This was going to be one hell of day.
Lucan could already feel it in his bones. After all, it had just been about midnight when he had received that phone call from Chiba Mamoru and his date. That phone call had turned into a very complicated situation, one that would take awhile to be successfully resolved. He finally made it back to the Palace, having given up on getting any sleep that night. He'd catch up on it later-- there would be plenty of things to do-- after his morning run.
He never missed a day. No matter how crazy things got, he always did something. He would forfeit sleep for a run. He would forfeit breakfast for a run. Physically, choosing a run over either one of those was probably not the best idea, but he had done all that and more while out on SAS missions, and still managed to survive. He could do it here.
Lucan ran easily through the public grounds. He usually liked to come earlier, around 0400 hours. It would still be dark, and pretty much deserted, save for the other ambitious souls who might join him but could never keep up with him. He often ran a five minute mile, and considered that to be a leisurely jog. Back at SAS training, one had to run a six minute mile to pretty much make it in, and most who did dropped out, anyway. It was the people who ran five minutes or less who were really competitive. In those days his average was 4:30, if he was really in a hurry he could lower it to 4:10 or 15.
In fact, rarely a day went by where he did not run a distance of ten miles. It never took him very long, and he considered it to be his job to be physically fit. He never knew when he was going to need that strength and endurance.
And it just felt good. Everything else would fade, and the world would be reduced to a few simple elements: breathing, posture, movement, and the path. And anything that got in the way of his path. He tended to jump, vault, or leap over obstacles instead of running around them. It kept the run from getting monotonous, and it was what happened in a real combat situation, anyway. He had never been in a battle where he didn't have to traverse an obstacle.
Unfortunately, his time was coming to an end. He increased his speed, lungs burning. The last quarter mile was the time for some speed, to finish out the run strong. He kept increasing, feeling his calves tighten and it seemed like he couldn't get enough oxygen to feed his muscles, but it was the good kind of burn. It made him feel alive.
After what seemed like eternity, he finally crossed that distance and slowed to a walk, needing to cool down. This time in the morning, there were several people out, from gardeners to other early morning joggers (all of whom were just staring at him in awe), even a mother, or maybe a nanny, pushing a stroller and holding the hand a young boy. She, too, was staring at him. Probably wondering why they let a tall man in a tshirt, camo trousers and combat boots use the public grounds as his personal obstacle course.
"Good morning, ma'am," he nodded to her respectfully, and she simply averted her gaze, tugging the little boy along. Well, figured. Sometimes he had that effect on people, especially dressed like this.
He stopped by a small vendor and purchased a bottle of water, draining half of it in one drink, and looked out over the meticulously kept grounds. It didn't take him long to catch his breath again, but he wanted to stay here for just a little while, before he had to find out just how crazy this day was going to get.
|
![[image]](http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d22/CelestialNM/Crystal%20Restoration/Lucan/lucanfelixsig.jpg) |
|
Meioh Setsuna
Innocent
Senshi of Time
member is offline
![[avatar]](http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c336/Star_Wanderer/plu.png)
Joined: May 2009
Gender: Female 
Posts: 4
| | Re: 1/3 AM Where Time and Duty Meet (Setsuna/Lucan
« Reply #1 on Jul 5, 2009, 9:01pm » | |
The soft chirping of birds and the wind in her ears were a welcoming change after the long quiet of the past few years. It felt like it had been ages indeed since Setsuna had returned home. Home- yes, the word was right. Though she spent the majority of her life outside the gates alone, she would forever think of this palace as her real home. It was where all the people she cared about resided, the center of her world. She had missed the sights, the smells, the feeling of living and moving along with the flow of time instead of standing outside of it.
She crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair, sipping at her tea as she watched the people moved through the grounds, her dark eyes observant and distant, her fingers idly tapping the pencil twined through them against the sketch pad that rested on the table before her. Normally this would be the time she’d consider new designs for outfits- something she was going to need to focus on soon. She refused to live off of Usagi’s charity forever; while she was here she planned on at least being able to take care of her own expenses by working. However, the inspiration just wasn’t coming this morning, not that she could really expect anything different with all that had been happening. Especially after last night- though she would have to act as if she didn’t know about that yet.
Frowning, Setsuna set down her cup and pushed it aside, rubbing her temples. There was too much going on, too much that she couldn’t do and too much she should but wasn’t sure how to begin. Once the future had begun to shift she had known her presence was needed, but she wasn’t sure as what. An advisor? A reminder that time was not set in stone? She wasn’t sure, and it frustrated her. She would only know how to act when the time came, and she did not like the feeling. There were too many possible futures at the moment, and it made her edgy to know that she couldn’t say or do anything of them; only subtle warnings and gentle guidance. It made her head hurt thinking about it.
Rising, the tall woman slid her pad under her arm, pencil still in her hand as she left the tea cup and began to walk, her long hair fanning out loosely around her. She hadn’t bothered with tying it back this morning, though she probably would later, but it was the least of her concerns at the moment. Her eyes flickered around the grounds, pausing briefly on the people she passed, barely noticing the stares she received from the gardeners and civilians.
Pausing at a branching in the path she noticed a vendor nearby and remembered that she hadn’t had any breakfast; an apple or croissant sounded very appetizing at the moment. Turning left she approached, considering the food selection before picking out a small bunch of grapes and the idealized croissant. She passed the seller the money to pay, thanking him before noticing the man standing not too far away.
“Mr. Felix, a good morning to you,” she offered, taking a few steps toward him. “I didn’t think to see anyone I knew out this early.”
| |
|
Lucan Felix
Senshi/Shitennou
member is offline
Head of Her Majesty's Secret Service
Joined: Dec 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 186
| | Re: 1/3 AM Where Time and Duty Meet (Setsuna/Lucan
« Reply #2 on Jul 6, 2009, 12:40am » | |
Lucan heard a woman thank the vendor behind him, but did not turn to look. There was no need, and he was listening to the songs of the birds overhead. It was good that there was such respite in the midst of the megapolis that was Tokyo. There were times when he got tired of the endless miles of urban jungle. Nature brought perspective, solitude.
However, he heard his name spoken, albeit formally. Lucan turned, masking his surprise at seeing one of the senshi. It took him a split-second to place her face-- something was different with her hair, but it was Sailorpluto. Suddenly, he become overly conscious of his attire. This was not proper to greet one of the members of the court in-- combat boots and a tshirt soaked with perspiration. At least he didn't smell, even if his appearance was rather uncouth.
He bowed quickly. It just felt unnatural to bow in such a setting, hence he didn't linger in the position long. Besides, he had no desire to draw external attention to the fact that a Sailor senshi was on the public grounds. Who knew if the paparazzi was lurking, or even someone else.
"Lady Pluto," he addressed her respectfully. "Good morning to your ladyship, as well." The corner of his mouth curved upwards slightly, but that was the only signal of amusement that he let escape at her opening remark.
"And I did not expect to see anyone I knew here so late," he replied. Truthfully, this was late for a man used to leaving the grounds no later than 0500. "Enjoying the day? Lovely weather for January." However bland his words were, they were accompanied by a curious glance to her sketchbook.
|
|
|
Meioh Setsuna
Innocent
Senshi of Time
member is offline
Joined: May 2009
Gender: Female
Posts: 4
| | Re: 1/3 AM Where Time and Duty Meet (Setsuna/Lucan
« Reply #3 on Jul 6, 2009, 11:03pm » | |
She blinked, inwardly wondering how often this man was taken by surprise- probably not too often. Though now that he was working with them, she would bet that there was nothing but shocks and unforeseen circumstances where Usagi was concerned.
Suddenly she felt a little self conscious- she was only clad in light cotton pants and a loose fitting top herself, having not anticipated that she would run into anyone she would know or who might recognize her. Mistake, Setsuna chided herself ruefully, though by Lucan's response he probably was experiencing a similar predicament. Apparently she would have to make some reassessments about life at court.
Still she wasn't expecting the man to bow right in front of everyone, as if they were back at the ball where she had first set eyes on him in the present! And Lady- it wasn't a title she was accustomed to. Were all the senshi referred to as such around here? Setsuna had a moment of complete and utter awkwardness where she was at a total loss of what to do but some how she managed to gather her wits enough to respond. Instead of a traditional curtsy, she settled for a half bow of her own, hand touching above her heart as she inclined her head, long hair cascading down around her face.
"If you will allow me to call you Lucan, I'll allow you to call me Setsuna," she told him, tipping her head slightly to the side as she considered him. "I'm not really one for formality."
An eyebrow lifted slightly in amusement. "Late?" she inquired, lips twitching as she fought back a smile. "Well, since you've probably been up half the night I suppose you could look at it that way." Her face lifted to the sun momentarily, and nodded, her eyes softening. "I am enjoying the weather indeed. It's a nice change after coming from a place where there isn't much weather at all."
She caught his glance to her sketch pad and attempted to explain. "Just trying to come up with a little inspiration," she told him. "Though I'm afraid my mind has other plans." A rueful smile tugged at her mouth. "I'm sure you know what that's like."
| |
|
Lucan Felix
Senshi/Shitennou
member is offline
Head of Her Majesty's Secret Service
Joined: Dec 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 186
| | Re: 1/3 AM Where Time and Duty Meet (Setsuna/Lucan
« Reply #4 on Jul 10, 2009, 2:14am » | |
His brow inched upward as the lady bowed herself and asked to trade in formal titles and honorifics. She wasn't one for formality? This was strange. He had always believed that the Japanese had one of the formalized and ritualized societies on earth, with a nine whole linguistic levels of formality, that often caused him a few headaches, and he considered himself adept at learning new languages. And yet so many of the people he was coming into contact with eschewed formality, from the Queen's insistence that he call her by her given name, to now referring to Luna by hers. Now a senshi.
Lucan was very much for formality. It was an easy way of establishing a professional relationship and keeping it there. It allowed for no confusion. However, he was quite used to people referring to him as just Lucan, in fact he rather preferred it that way. His subordinates, however, knew well enough to just refer to him as sir, at least in conversation.
"As you wish... Setsuna." It was hard to speak the name, he naturally wanted to say lady, but once it rolled off his tongue it was rather pleasant.
His eyebrow lifted further as she said he must be up half the night. "I've been up all night, actually," he remarked, wondering why she thought he would be up half the night, anyway. He gave her a quizzical glance when she said it was a nice change from being in a place without weather. Odd. Usagi had told him that Pluto guarded the time stream. At first he had thought it was a metaphor. Gradually he realized the Queen was being quite literal, though he had little real comprehension of what such a task would entail.
Lucan returned her smile with a polite one, though in reality he didn't really understand. He knew what it was like to need solitude or nature to calm oneself, but he had never had issues with focus. He considered the finer aspects of his work to be just as much right-brained as left-- there were somethings that one just had to know intuitively, and logic would follow-- but his laser-sharp focus had never failed him. He could focus in situations that would leave other men in nervous breakdowns or comatose with trauma. It was just the hallmark of an ex-special forces officer. No one had managed to break that focus before, not even a woman.
"Inspiration? Sounds artistic. Do you sketch the grounds, then?" He found himself intrigued by whatever kind of work she might do, though he knew such things were personal, and decided not to ask to see the sketchbook. Even as he stood making chit-chat with her, he was scanning their surroundings, listening to the clicks of a woman's shoes on the paved walkway, and the shuffling of a gardener nearby.
|
|
|
Meioh Setsuna
Innocent
Senshi of Time
member is offline
Joined: May 2009
Gender: Female
Posts: 4
| | Re: 1/3 AM Where Time and Duty Meet (Setsuna/Lucan
« Reply #5 on Jul 22, 2009, 10:24pm » | |
Setsuna sensed his moment of hesitation and was slightly worried. She hadn't paid particular attention to how the senshi were addressed or how much they played up the whole royal court angle. Was she expected to be referred to as 'Lady' by everyone but the senshi? Too busy watching other things, she'd never bothered to learn how court worked officially at this time. It would seem she had better learn, and quickly before the public became aware of her presence and the spotlights found her.
But the sound of his voice speaking her name calmed her. "Thank you. I hope I haven't startled you too terribly by that request. I suppose I will have to get used to the title eventually, but I'm not quite ready for that yet."
Her cheeks flushed. All night? Well, maybe something had shifted slightly in time enough that he'd been up that long instead of only half. "Well. . . I had. . . " Setsuna hesitated, feeling oddly off balance and at a loss to explain to him. She'd never had to tell people other than the senshi about her abilities, and she wasn't sure how much Lucan already knew, or what she needed to tell him. She had seen that the adventure Usagi had had last night would have certainly kept him up, but had something changed again to make it more extreme? Rubbing her temples she made a note to spend some time after she returned to the palace taking a good look at the future and past.
Her gaze fluttered down to her pad again, realizing the impression he must have gotten from it. It was natural- people saw you with paper and pencil and assumed you were sketching people or nature, not clothing. "Oh, no, not that kind of inspiration. Michiru's more the type to do that kind of art, though I've never tried my hand at it to tell if I could do it myself. I was actually watching people to see what the trends are." A small smile tugged her lips, shrugging her shoulders, embarrassed though unsure why. Perhaps because she wasn't used to explaining herself, and wondered how odd she was sounding to this man. "I design and make clothing, and I needed some ideas before I can think about getting a shop open."
Shifting her weight, she flipped open the pad to her half formed sketches that she had been working on that morning to show him, almost immediately wishing she could close it. "It's not really that interesting," she murmured. "I'm out of practice."
| |
|
Lucan Felix
Senshi/Shitennou
member is offline
Head of Her Majesty's Secret Service
Joined: Dec 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 186
| | Re: 1/3 AM Where Time and Duty Meet (Setsuna/Lucan
« Reply #6 on Jul 22, 2009, 11:05pm » | |
"Startled?" he chuckled in response. "Not exactly. Rather I find it amusing-- I've been in and out of government for awhile and this is the first time that so many higher echelons, including the Queen herself, insist on a lack of formality in address. But you deserve to be called whatever pleases you, Setsuna. Though you may have to remind me in mixed company." He had a tendency to revert to titles when others could overhear, more for the preservation of the addressee's reputation than his own comfort.
Lucan was, however, slightly startled at her blush and and stammering. What in the world had gotten into her? Was it something he said? He parsed his words in his mind and still came up short. "What?" he asked, not bothering to disguise his confusion at her reaction. He did not play games, and just decided to ask rather than go crazy wondering.
Trends... intriguing. Also, she was planning on pursuing a career outside of being a senshi, something he found fascinating, though he had to tell his brain to stop running through all the security procedures opening a shop might require. "I'm mostly ignorant of such things," he admitted, "but I would think most designers would open a copy of Vogue for trends." Actually, he thought her method made more sense, to see what people were actually wearing instead of what a magazine said they should. But Lucan had never opened a copy of Vogue in his life, regardless.
He smiled at her self-deprecating remarks about her work, still looking down. "Not that I can tell. You have great depth, a sense of movement..." She was obviously talented at sketching; at turning something three-dimensional into a representation that would work on paper.
|
|
| |
|
![[Home]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/menu/home.gif)
![[Help]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/menu/help.gif)
![[Search]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/menu/search.gif)
![[Login]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/menu/login.gif)
![[Register]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/menu/register.gif)
![[Search This Thread]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/search2.gif)
![[Reply]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/buttons/reply.gif)
![[Send Topic To Friend]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/buttons/sendtopic.gif)
![[Print]](http://s4.images.proboards.com/buttons/print.gif)
Logged